Malaysian Passenger Convicted of Sexually Abusing Child on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

A federal jury discovered Malaysian nationwide, Lay Ong, 67, responsible for sexually abusing a minor throughout a Royal Caribbean cruise. The incident occurred earlier this yr on the Icon of the Seas throughout the ship’s March 29 via April 5 voyage from Miami.

Ong was convicted on October 23 and the press launch of the incident was launched Friday, November 14 by the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Southern District of Florida.

The press launch particulars the crime: “Ong was strolling down a stateroom hall when he encountered two boys, ages seven and 9, enjoying outdoors their cabin. Proof confirmed that Ong started talking with the youngsters whereas touching the seven-year-old’s head and chin, then reached down and squeezed the kid’s genitalia earlier than strolling away.”

The affidavit additionally states Ong requested the boys in the event that they have been boys or women after which mentioned “let me verify” earlier than sexually assaulting the kid.

The boys instructed their mother and father concerning the incident and who then alerted the ship’s safety. The ship’s surveillance system captured the incident. The ship’s safety interviewed Ong, who claimed he was “enjoying” with the boys and solely touched the kid’s abdomen.

Ong can be sentenced on January 21, 2026 in Miami federal court docket. He faces a most of life in jail and can be topic to deportation following his sentence.

U.S. Legal professional Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida mentioned the next within the press launch: “Abusing a baby is an unforgivable act. This verdict makes clear that anybody who preys on a baby—wherever, and beneath any flag—can be held to account. We’ll proceed working with the FBI to guard younger victims and convey their abusers to justice.”

Tales like this are why we warn passengers to remain vigilant always — even simply outdoors their cabins. Crimes on cruises can occur in seconds, and there’s at all times the hazard of opportunistic predators like Ong.

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Picture Credit score: Icon of the Seas – Wikipedia